“This game isn't just an action game.” That's the kind of phrase you'll want to start with when talking about the side-scrolling action game “Majogami.” It's a mysterious and somewhat poignant world where Shiroha, a witch who lost her memories, and Shiori, her father who turned into paper, slash, run, and sometimes cry as they rush through it. My heart was drawn to the figure of the girl with a sword, confronting the gods and retrieving her past. While it is an action game, what is depicted is the memory of a family and a story of choices. Emotional waves that don't end just with controlling the character will surely come through the screen.

The core of this game is undoubtedly the high-speed slash action called “Setsuna.” It allows you to slash at an enemy in an instant, continuously pierce through enemies, and sometimes dash through the air as if dancing—it is literally “divine speed.” With its ease of activation with a single button and exhilarating effect presentation, you'll find yourself, the one operating the game, getting intoxicated by the speed. The existence of this “Setsuna,” which can be used multi-functionally not only for attack but also for movement, evasion, and defense, constantly keeps the game's tempo pleasant.

When the “Constellation of the Gods” gauge, which builds up during combat, is full, Shiroha transforms—her form, enhanced by the power of the Star Gods, is beautiful, somewhat divine, and powerful. During transformation, a song and animation play, and the splendor of the presentation is enough to captivate you. With the maximum transformation to “Irona Boshi (Colored Star),” the special move “Seishisoujou (Star Poem Instrumental Cleansing)” becomes available, accompanied by the surprising effect of a chorus with the Star Gods. The power is enough to instantly reverse previous struggles, giving a sense of exhilaration as if a stage curtain is rising, despite it being an action game.

The Majogami who stand as enemies each exude a presence like protagonists. Their appearance and techniques are full of individuality, and their background settings are deep, giving them a weight that prevents them from being just simple boss battles. The presentation is anime-like, with many striking performances that look great on a large screen, and the confrontation with Shiroha unfolds like a single stage play. Furthermore, in sub-scenarios unlocked by obtaining specific items, the past that wasn't told in the main story is revealed, and the bond between Shiroha and Shiori, as well as the time they intersected with their comrades, is depicted more deeply.

Finally, I want to touch on the visual and sound world of this game. The world crafted by Art Director Yuji Natsume has an enchanting color palette where Japanese style and fantasy intermingle, as if you are following a picture scroll. The atmosphere drifting in the backgrounds and the meticulously designed details of the characters are full of the “joy of watching,” not just playing. The timing of the music and production is also exquisite, resulting in an action game that feels like a visual masterpiece, beautiful from every angle.